Léon Messagé had a brilliant, but short-lived career. He is best known for his incredible sculptural collaboration with François Linke for the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. A gifted sculptor, Messagé was also responsible for much of the design and creative work for Roux et Brunet and Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener. Messagé enjoyed great success as a designer/sculptor before he collaborated with Linke. Indeed, he was mentioned as a Gold Medal winner at the 1889 International Exhibition and was especially praised for his work on a cabinet by Zwiener. He came into contact with Linke in 1885, and it appears from then on Linke employed him regularly. Messagé was primarily influenced by Rococo ornament, but he strove to re-interpret it. He did not produce slavish copies, and his original approach can be appreciated in Linke's celebrated Grande Bibliothèque and Grand Bureau exhibited at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. Several drawings by Messagé are recorded, and after his success at the exhibition of 1889, he was encouraged to publish his designs. Cahier de dessins & croquis, style Louis XV: bronzes, orfèvrerie, décoration, meubles was first published by the sculptor himself, from his Paris address of 40 rue Sedaine. There were five sections with an elaborate title page surmounted by the sculptor's cipher or talisman of a wing, a pun on his name as the messenger to the Gods, a motif he used many times on the handles of furniture designed for Linke. As a sculptor, Messagé was trained to produce a wax maquette or model before working on a piece. For Messagé, it was not just a matter of producing decorative mounts the piece was conceived as sculpture, bronze, timber and marquetry as one.
Louis XV Style Vitrine Table, François Linke and Léon Messagé French, circa 1900
By François Linke
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Louis XV Style gilt bronze mounted table Vitrine, by François Linke, the mounts designed by Léon Messagé. Index Number 131. This elegant tabl...
Bronze
Pair of Fine French Louis XV Side Tables After Francois Linke
By François Linke
Located in Forney, TX
A pair of magnificent fine quality vintage French Louis XV style gilt bronze ormolu mounted mahogany side tables after celebrated master Parisian ébéniste Francois Linke (b.1855-1946...
Marble, Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
$12,450
H 30.13 in W 20.5 in D 20 in
French Louis XV Style Mahogany & Ormolu Mounted Side Table by Francois Linke
By François Linke
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Fine French 19th-20th Century Louis XV style Mahogany, Satinwood and Gilt-Bronze (Ormolu) Mounted Side Table by Franc¸ois Linke (1855-1946). The square shaped table fitted with a Bre^che Violette marble top with a gilt bronze trim, the body surmounted on each corner with bronze caryatid mounts of female busts with laced-tied outfits, the a parquetry apron surmounted with acanthus ormolu mounts and a lower parquetry shelf, all raised on four cabriolet legs ending with gilt bronze sabots. Signed on one mount: F. Linke. Circa: Paris, 1900. François Linke (1855-1946) was one of the most celebrated ébénistes of his time. Born in Pankraz, Bohemia, Linke moved to Paris in 1875 and six years later established independent ateliers at 170, rue de Faubourg St. Antoine. As was the practice among contemporaries and noteworthy predecessors, such as Alfred Beurdeley and Henry Dasson, Linke initially produced furniture derived from styles popular during the 18th century ancien régime. By 1900, his worldwide reputation as an individualistic master of high quality furniture was already established. However, with a huge display, placing his extravagant pieces in room settings and winning the Médaille d'Or for his Grand Bureau...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
$24,500 / set
H 31 in W 24.5 in D 17.5 in
Fine Pair of French Louis XV Style Francois Linke Attrib. Side Tables
By François Linke
Located in Forney, TX
A very fine pair of antique French Louis XV style gilt bronze ormolu mounted mahogany tiered side tables with breccia violetta marble tops. circa 1900 ...
Breccia Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
$12,500
H 30.25 in W 20.5 in D 19.5 in
A French Louis XV style Mahogany & Ormolu Mounted Side Table Attr Francois Linke
By François Linke
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French Louis XV Style Mahogany and Gilt-Bronze (Ormolu) Mounted Side Table, Attributed to Franc¸ois Linke (1855-1946). The square shaped table fitted with a Bre^che Violette marble top with a gilt bronze trim, the body surmounted on each corner with bronze caryatid mounts of winged female busts and an acanthus apron, the lower shelf with a sunburst parquetry design and raised on four cabriolet legs ending with gilt bronze sabots. The mounts stamped 'E.M' on the reverse. We believe that this table was most likely commissioned to Linke by Mâison Millet. circa: Paris, 1900-1920. François Linke (1855-1946) was one of the most celebrated ébénistes of his time. Born in Pankraz, Bohemia, Linke moved to Paris in 1875 and six years later established independent ateliers at 170, rue de Faubourg St. Antoine. As was the practice among contemporaries and noteworthy predecessors, such as Alfred Beurdeley and Henry Dasson, Linke initially produced furniture derived from styles popular during the 18th century ancien régime. By 1900, his worldwide reputation as an individualistic master of high quality furniture was already established. However, with a huge display, placing his extravagant pieces in room settings and winning the Médaille d'Or for his Grand Bureau...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French Louis XV-Style Tea Table with Cabriole Legs, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Crafted in France in the late 19th century, this refined Louis XV-style side table boasts a timeless, lightweight design defined by delicate cabriole legs ending in square hoof feet....
Oak
Louis XV Style Writing Desk by François Linke
By François Linke
Located in New Orleans, LA
Superior craftsmanship and elegant bronze work characterize this tambour front roll top writing desk by François Linke, the most important French ébéniste of his time. Linke is celeb...
Bronze
Louis XV-Style Gilt Bronze Cylinder Desk by François Linke
By François Linke
Located in New York, NY
A stunning cylinder desk with roller shutter in the style of Louis XV, plum pudding mahogany, modeled by Jean-Henri Riesener, signed François Linke. The upper structure fitted with t...
Mahogany
$19,880Sale Price|20% Off
H 27 in W 18.5 in D 13.38 in
Fine French Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Marquetry Side-Table by François Linke
By François Linke
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Very Fine French Louis XV Transitional Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted, Marquetry and Æil de Vermeil Parquetry single-drawer side-table by François Linke (1855-1946). The rectangular top...
Ormolu
$74,500
H 32.5 in Dm 40 in
A Fine French Early 20th Century Gilt-Bronze Center Table Attr. Francois Linke
By François Linke
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French early 20th century Empire style ormolu and figural patinated bronze-mounted amboyna and veined Verde d'Alps marble top "Gueridon" attributed to François Linke (185...
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Francois Linke Table De Salon Paris, circa 1912-1927
By François Linke
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
François Linke (1855-1946) Table De Salon Paris, circa 1912-1927 , the top veneered with diamond shaped parquetry Measures: Height 31 in. (78.74 cm.), width 49 in. (124.46 cm.), depth 32 in. (81.28 cm.) Provenance: Jean Bieder, Francois Linke's foreman in the 1920's, who took over Linke's business in 1946 Literature: C. Payne, Francois Linke, p.253, pl 267, for an illustration of a variant of the present model. D. Ledoux-Lebard, Le Mobilier Francois du XIX Siecle, pp.435-444C. Payne, 19th Century European Furniture, pp. 39-40 The present lot has no corresponding cliche in the Linke Archive: however, there are two of similiar form, each with a marble top. Number 845 was made in 1927 for the King of Egypt. Another variation, number 2403, is one of the earliest examples of Linke making furniture in Renaissance revival manner, a 'grande table noyer sculpte' made for Antonio Devoto...
Wood
Center Table Stamped François Linke
By François Linke
Located in BARSAC, FR
FRANÇOIS LINKE (1855-1946) mall kidney-shaped table in marquetry of grids and quartefeuilles in amaranth reserves, on the top a magnificent flowered basket in fine marquetry. It ope...
Bronze
$8,724Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.11 in Dm 18.12 in
Antique French Louis XV Kingwood Etagere Side Table, Manner of François Linke
By François Linke
Located in London, GB
An antique French louis xv revival kingwood and ormolu etagere in the manner of francois linke, late 19th century The circular quarter veneered and cross banded top with a pierced...
Brass, Ormolu